Sketches of the Christian Life and Public Labors of William Miller

16. THE SEVENTH MONTH MOVEMENT - DISAPPOINTMENT - THE NOBLEMAN AND HIS SERVANTS - NEED OF PATIENCE - CONFERENCE AT LOW HAMPTON - ETC

“FOR a few months previous to this time, the attention of some had been directed to the tenth day of the seventh month of the current Jewish year, as the probable termination of several prophetic periods. This was not generally received with favor by those who sympathized with Mr. Miller, till a few weeks previous to the time designated, which, on that year, following the reckoning of the Caraite Jews, fell on the 22nd day of October. Mr. Miller had, a year and a half previous, called attention to the seventh month ¹ as an important one in the Jewish dispensation; but as late as the date of his last letter (September 30, 1844,) he had discountenanced the positiveness with which some were then regarding it. On the 6th of October he was first led to favor the expectation which pointed to that month, and thus wrote; ‘If Christ does not come within twenty or twenty-five days, I shall feel twice the disappointment I did in the spring.’ SLWM 295.1

“About the same time, also, the belief in the given day was generally received. There were exceptions, but it is the duty of the impartial historian to record the fact that those who had embraced the views of Mr. Miller did, with great unanimity, heartily and honestly believe that on a given day they should behold the coming of the King of glory. SLWM 296.1

“The world cannot understand how that could be; and many who professed the name of Christ, have spoken contemptuously of such an expectation. But those who in sincerity love the Saviour, can never feel the least emotion of contempt for such a hope. The effect on those entertaining this belief is thus described by Mr. Miller, in a letter dated October 11, 1844:- SLWM 297.1

“‘I think I have never seen among our brethren such faith as is manifested in the seventh month. “He will come,” is the common expression. “He will not tarry the second time,” is their general reply. There is a forsaking of the world, an unconcern for the wants of life, a general searching of heart, confession of sin, and a deep feeling in prayer for Christ to come. A preparation of heart to meet him seems to be the labor of their agonizing spirits. There is something in this present waking up different from anything I have ever before seen. There is no great expression of joy: that is, as it were, suppressed for a future occasion, when all Heaven and earth will rejoice together with joy unspeakable and full of glory. There is no shouting; that, too, is reserved for the shout from Heaven. The singers are silent: they are waiting to join the angelic hosts, the choir from Heaven. No arguments are used or needed: all seem convinced that they have the truth. There is no clashing of sentiments: all are of one heart and of one mind. Our meetings are all occupied with prayer, and exhortation to love and obedience. The general expression is, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus. SLWM 297.2

“‘WILLIAM MILLER.’

“The natural heart would be unable to realize that any emotion, but that of fear and dread, could fill the minds of those thus believing. But when the secrets of the great day shall be made known, it will be seen that the coming of Christ was ardently desired by them, and that their hearts were filled with holy joy, while they were subdued by awe, as standing in the presence of the Governor of the universe. The state of mind thus produced was a great moral spectacle, upon which those who participated in it will ever look back with pleasure, and without regret. SLWM 298.1

“The time immediately preceding the 22nd of October was one of great calmness of mind and of pleasurable expectation on the part of those who regarded that point of time with interest. There was a nearness of approach to God, and a sweetness of communion with him, to which those who experienced it will ever recur with pleasure. During the last ten days, secular business was, for the most part, suspended; and those who looked for the advent gave themselves to the work of preparation for that event, as they would for death, were they on a bed of sickness expecting soon to close their eyes on earthly scenes forever. SLWM 298.2

“There were some cases of extravagance, as there have been in all great movements; and it would have been strange had there not been. But the published accounts of these were greatly exaggerated, and hundreds of reports had no foundation in fact. All reports respecting the preparation of ascension robes, etc., and which are still by many believed, were demonstrated over and over again to be false and scandalous. In the investigation of the truth of such, no labor and expense was spared; and it became morally certain that no instance of the kind anywhere occurred. SLWM 298.3

“The most culpable incident, which had any foundation in fact, was in Philadelphia. In opposition to the earnest expostulations of Mr. Litch and other judicious persons, a company of about one hundred and fifty, responding to the pretended vision of one C.R. Georgas, on the 21st of October went out on the Darby-street road, about four miles from Market-street bridge, and encamped in a field under two large tents, provided with all needed comforts. The next morning, their faith in Georgas’ vision having failed, all but about a dozen returned to the city. A few days later the others returned. That was an act the report of which was greatly exaggerated. It met the emphatic disapproval of Mr. Miller and the Adventists generally, and its folly was promptly confessed by the majority of those who participated in it. SLWM 299.1

“The day passed, and the expectation of the advent at that time was proved to be premature. The friends were at first quite saddened, but were not disheartened by the passing of the time. This was the only specific day which was regarded by intelligent Adventists with any positiveness. There were other days named by those whose opinions were received with no favor; but their unauthorized declarations should not be imputed to the body. SLWM 299.2

“The fact that many suspended their business for a few days was censured by opponents; but it was only acting consistently with their faith, opponents being judges. Dr. Dowling, a celebrated Baptist clergyman in New York city, in a review of Mr. Miller, used this strong language:- SLWM 299.3

“‘Were this doctrine of Mr. Miller established upon evidence satisfactory to my own mind, I would not rest till I had published in the streets, and proclaimed in the ears of my fellow-townsmen, and especially of my beloved flock, “The day of the Lord is at hand! Build no more houses! Plant no more fields and gardens! Forsake your shops and farms, and all secular pursuits, and give every moment to preparation for this great event! for in three short years this earth shall be burnt up, and Christ shall come in the clouds, awake the sleeping dead, and call the living before his dread tribunal.” ’ SLWM 300.1

“In the first communication received from Mr. Miller after this time, he wrote from Low Hampton, Nov. 10, 1844:- SLWM 300.2

“‘DEAR BRO. HIMES:- I have been waiting and looking for the blessed hope, and in expectation of realizing the glorious things which God has spoken of Zion. Yes, and although I have been twice disappointed, I am not yet cast down or discouraged. God has been with me in spirit, and has comforted me. I have now much more evidence that I do believe in God’s word; and although surrounded with enemies and scoffers, yet my mind is perfectly calm, and my hope in the coming of Christ is as strong as ever. I have done only what after years of sober consideration I felt it to be my solemn duty to do. If I have erred, it has been on the side of charity, the love of my fellow-man, and my conviction of duty to God. I could not see that I should harm my fellow-men, even supposing the event should not take place at the time specified, for it is a command of our Saviour to look for it, watch, expect it, and be ready. Then, if I could by any means, in accordance with God’s word, persuade men to believe in a crucified, risen, and coming Saviour, I felt it would have a bearing on the everlasting welfare and happiness of such. I had not a distant thought of disturbing our churches, ministers, religious editors, or departing from the best biblical commentaries or rules which had been recommended for the study of the Scriptures. And even to this day, my opposers have not been able to show where I have departed from any rule laid down by our old standard writers of the Protestant faith. I have only interpreted Scripture in accordance with their rules, as I honestly believed. And not one honest man, who understand this question, will deny this assertion of mine. But that, over which I could have no control, transpired to produce on the public mind an unhappy effect. SLWM 300.3

“‘The public excitement commenced some six years ago. Although I had been proclaiming the Second Advent for six year before, there was not one of our churches that I visited but what acknowledged the happy effects of the doctrine; and many were hopefully converted, who united themselves with the several sects as their own judgment dictated. In 1839 and 1840, the opposition to the doctrine began to rage, united with ridicule and misrepresentation. The Universalists commenced the contest, and were followed by every sect in our country. Then the brethren who loved the appearing of our Saviour, found themselves among opposers. And instead of meeting sound argument and light among their former brethren, they were almost universally met with scoffing, ridicule, and misrepresentation. Odious names and cruel epithets were applied to us; and in may cases our motives were impugned, and a war of extermination was commenced against the Advent faith. Many of our brethren caught a measure of this spirit, and began to defend themselves in like manner, against the attacks of several sects. The name of “Babylon,” and I am sorry to say it, was applied to all of our churches without any discrimination, although in too many instances it was not unjustly applied. We were thus placed at the time we expected our deliverance; and if Christ had come and found us in this condition, who would have been ready, purified, and made white? But the time passed, and the Adventists were humbled; and thus we see that our God was wise and good, in the tarrying of the vision, to humble, purify, and prepare us for an admittance into his blessed kingdoms. SLWM 301.1

“‘I would now beg and pray, my brethren, that we may humble ourselves, avoid disputes, and enter into our chambers, and hide ourselves for a little while until the danger is over. Hold no unnecessary controversy with the despisers of our blessed hope, let us separate ourselves from them in very deed. We have thus far done all we could - and now is the time of their triumph, but it will be short. I am determined by the grace of God to follow this rule. God will fight our battles for us, and in due time we shall see who is the only Potentate. Now let patience have its perfect work. Our duty now is to comfort one another with these words, strengthen those that are weak among us, comfort the feeble, establish the wavering, raise up the bowed down, speak often one to another, and forsake not the assembling of ourselves together; let our conversation be in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour, for the time has now come for us to live by faith, a faith that is tried like gold seven times purified. Let us hold fast our profession without wrath or doubting, for he is faithful who has promised, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Let us be careful that we become not over charged with the things of this world, and so that day come upon us unawares; but know, brethren, that the day will not come upon you as a thief; you will see and know the sign of the Son of man. SLWM 302.1

“‘I would advise you, Bro. Himes, to continue publishing your papers in Boston and New York. We must have a medium of communication with one another, so that amid the moral darkness which has shrouded the people on the prophecies, we may have light in all our dwellings. This cannot be far from the time. I feel confident that God will justify his word, and the time which we have preached; for we cannot have varied far from the truth in our own views of the seven time, the 2300 days, the 1335 days, the trumpets, etc. SLWM 303.1

“‘Brethren, hold fast; let no man take your crown. I have fixed my mind upon another time, and here I mean to stand until God gives me more light - and that is To-day, TO-DAY, and T O - D A Y, until he comes, and I see HIM for whom my soul yearns. Permit me to illustrate by parable. SLWM 303.2

“‘A certain nobleman about taking a long journey, called together his servants, gave instructions to every one respecting their work, and commanded them to be faithful in their several occupations; and at his return, he would reward every one as his work should be. He also informed them how many days he should be absent; but the time of night when he should return, he did not make known; yet, if they would watch, they should know when he was near, even at the door. And he informed them how they might know. They would first see the lights of his carriage in the distance, and they would hear the rumbling of his carriage wheels, and go out to meet him, and open the portal gates for him immediately. Whether he should come in the first, second, third, or fourth watch, he would not then inform them; but commanded them to watch. After he was gone, many of the servants began to neglect their master’s business, and to form plans for their own amusement. Thus engaged, the days appointed for their master’s return were forgotten. The giddy whirl of dissipation had filled their mind, and time passed rapidly along; and the days were nearly run out when some of the servants discovered in the steward’s book the number of days recorded when their master should return. This was immediately read in the hearing of the servants, and created no small excitement among them. Some said the time was not revealed, because the master said the watch was not known. Others said the master would never return, he would sent his principal servant, and then they would have a feasting time to their own liking. SLWM 304.1

“‘Thus they were wrangling and disputing until the days, according to the best reckoning they could make, had run out, and the night came, in which some of them expected him. The porter, and a few others determined to watch, while the remainder of the servants were feasting and drinking. The porter and his companions kept a good lookout; for, at the first watch, they expected their master. They thought they saw the light and heard the rumbling of the wheels. They ran among the servants, and cried, “Behold, the master cometh.” This caused no small stir among them, and many made preparation for their master’s return. But it proved to be a false alarm. Then those servants ridiculed the porter and his friends for their fears as they called it, and returned to their feasting again. But the porter and his friends were still vigilant until the second watch, when they were again disappointed, and the servants were more vexed than ever. They now scoffed, and mocked, and then turned some of them out of doors. Again they waited for the third watch, and again they were disappointed. Now the majority of the servants, being more angry than ever, beat and bruised the porter and his friends, and turned them all out of the house, locked the doors, and laid themselves down to sleep. At the fourth watch the master came, and found the porter and a few of his companions watching. The doors were barred and the remainder of the servants were asleep. SLWM 305.1

“‘Now let me ask, Will the master condemn the porter and his friends for making three false alarms? Will he punish them for disturbing their carousing brethren? Which of these two classes of servants will have shown the most love for their master? Let every one answer to himself these questions, and decide his own case justly. Our former brethren say they watch, but do not expect him. SLWM 305.2

“‘Bro. Himes, give us the signification of the word WATCH. Yours as ever, looking, etc. SLWM 306.1

“‘WM. MILLER.’

Again Mr. Miller wrote on the 18th of November from Low Hampton:- SLWM 306.2

“‘DEAR BRO. HIMES: Be patient, establish your heart, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. For you have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry. This is the time for patience, it is the last trial the dear Second Advent brethren are to experience. For this will carry us to the coming of the Lord. “Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” James 5:7. This is the way God will sanctify his host. Now there will be a great falling away, for the want of this grace, patience. But all that endure this last trial unto the end, the same shall be saved. 2 Peter 1:4-11. As our father Abraham did, who hoped against hope, and so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. It is evident as the sun at noon that we are in this time of patience. We have done the will of God in this thing. We have written the vision and made it plain, we have run all our published time out, and the world say that “every vision faileth,” and therefore we have now need of patience, to wait unto the coming of the Holy One. Then let us have patience, and exercise it; for we can see, this trial will bring joy and the hope of glory. Romans 5:2-5. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12. Hearken, then, my brother, is not the trial of our faith more precious than gold? and shall we not stand in this last trial of our faith by patience? “For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.” Romans 15:4, 5. Then whatever was written, was for our example who live in this our last day; let us then through patience have hope. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13. SLWM 306.3

“‘We have done our work in warning sinners, and in trying to awake a formal church. God, in his providence, has shut the door: ¹ we can only stir one another up to be patient, and be diligent to make our calling and election sure. We are now living in the time specified by Malachi 3:18; also Daniel 12:10; Revelation 22:10-12. In this passage we cannot help but see that, a little while before Christ should come, there would be a separation between the just and unjust, and the righteous and wicked, between those who love his appearing and those who hate it. And never since the days of the apostles has there been such a division line drawn as was drawn about the 10th or 23rd day of the 7th Jewish month. Since that time, they say, “they have no confidence in us.” SLWM 307.1

“‘We have need of patience after we have done the will of God, that we may receive the promise; for he says, “Behold, I come quickly, to reward every one as his work shall be.” You may inquire, how long quickly means. The false-hearted professor will tell you it may mean ages upon ages yet to come; but the real lover of Christ will hope it is near. Christ has told us how near. Matthew 14:32, 33. Again, the apostle James has told us that we are to have patience, for it is nigh. He then tells us that the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. How long then does the husbandman wait? The former rains, in Judea, fell after the autumnal equinox, at their seed time, to quicken the grain; and the latter rains, after the vernal equinox, to insure a plentiful crop. [Carpenter’s Introduction, p. 334.] “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” How high? It cannot be seen, by the reading of the passage, that we are to be in this patient waiting for his coming, after we have done the will of God, sown the seed, given the midnight cry, longer; and it may be much less than the husbandman waited. Therefore let us stablish our hearts, be determined to go forward, let us not look back, “Remember Lot’s wife.” SLWM 308.1

“‘I think the event for which we look cannot be afar off. I know of no rule by which we can fix on any day or hour. But Christ tells us we may know when it is near even at the door. James 5:9, tells us, when this time of patient waiting comes, then, “Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.” I feel as confident as ever that God will justify us in fixing the year. And I believe as firmly that this Jewish year will not terminate before this wicked and corrupted earth’s history will all be told. The amount of scoffing and mocking at the present time is beyond any calculation. We can hardly pass a man, professor or non-professor, but what he scoffingly inquires, “You have not gone up,” or “God cannot burn the world,” etc., ridiculing the Bible itself, and blaspheming the word and power of God. And yet ministers and moral editors wink at it. And some of them are performing the same, to the no small joy of the most depraved characters in the community. SLWM 309.1

“‘If this is not a sign of the last day, we are sure never to see fulfilled 2 Peter 3:3, 4, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation;” nor Jude 18, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.: I pity the inhabitants who may live in an age of the world that is worse than this. I cannot believe this earth will ever again be so cursed. Where are our moral judges and rulers? Has virtue fled from the earth? and is there no fear of God in all the land? SLWM 309.2

“‘Come, Lord Jesus, oh! come quickly, or we shall be as when God overthrew the cities of the plain, like unto Sodom and Gomorrah. Where are the watchmen upon the walls of Zion? Can the sign of Peter and Jude be fulfilled before their eyes, and they not see it? Do they not know that one sign plainly fulfilled is proof enough? for God is not man that he should lie, nor is like unto the sons of men that he should be mistaken. I would beg to know what could be called scoffing and mocking, if the conduct of all classes of men opposing the Second Advent doctrine is not. Paul tells us, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” And some are tauntingly inquiring, “Have you not gone up?” Even little children in the streets are shouting continually to passers-by, “Have you a ticket to go up?” The public prints, of the most fashionable and popular kind, in the great Sodoms of our country, are caricaturing in the most shameful manner the “white robes of the saints,” Revelation 6:11, the “going up,” and the great day of “burning.” Even the pulpits are desecrated by the repetition of scandalous and false reports concerning the “ascension robes,” and priests are using their powers and pens to fill the catalogue of scoffing in the most scandalous periodicals of the day. England and France, with their sinks of pollution, London and Paris, cannot, will not, and dare not, compete with our Boston, New York, or Philadelphia, in scoffing. If these will not open the eyes of our good men in these cities, then I shall believe there is none there. And at any rate, the world must and will be burned up, and few men left. Adieu, my brother, I am patiently waiting for my King, etc. SLWM 310.1

“‘WM. MILLER.’

On the 29th of November he wrote to Eld. I.E. Jones, which appears in the Advent Herald for Dec. 25, 1844:- SLWM 311.1

“‘DEAR BRO. JONES. - Yours of the 23rd inst. was received yesterday, and I am now seated to answer it. The disappointment which we have experienced, in my opinion, could never have been foreseen or avoided, and we have been honest men and believed in the truth of the Bible. I have had time a few weeks past to review the whole subject, and with all the aid of Stuart, Chase, Weeks, Bush, and the whole school of modern writers, I cannot see why we are not right. And even by taking the whole together, instead of disproving the position we have taken, as it respects prophecy, they confirm me in my views. But, say you, time has shown we are wrong. I am not so certain of that. Suppose Christ should come before this year of Jewish time should expire. Then every honest man would say we were right. But if the world does stand two, or even three, years more, it would not in the least alter the manner of the prophecy, but would affect the time. One thing I do know, I have preached nothing but what I believed, and God’s hand has been with me, his power has been manifested in the work, and much good has been effected; for people have read the Bible for themselves, and no one can honestly say that they have been deceived by me. My advice has always been for every one to study the evidences of their faith for themselves. SLWM 311.2

“‘Again, I can see no object that Satan could have in publishing a doctrine which his won subjects would so generally oppose. No one can possibly plead that those who have excited the mobs, or the mobs themselves who have committed violence, were obeying the example of spirit of Christ. This would be blasphemy in the highest sense. Very well; then Satan would be opposing Satan, but on the part of the Adventists, Satan would be a non-resistant. Can this be true? If it is, then I have no rule by which to judge where the Spirit of Christ may be known. To tell us that those who have headed the most violent mobs in our country were performing the will of God, is an insult to common sense. Yet in no case have the nominal churches dealt with their brethren for such an offense. SLWM 312.1

“‘It cannot be that we are deceived. That Christ will come and justify us yet I will not doubt. Our meetings are like yours, sweet and heavenly refreshings from the presence and Spirit of God, with no wicked to molest us; they have left us entirely. For some time in October they crowded our house night and day; but now “there is room enough.” The trap is laid for them, they appear to know that Christ will never come. They that were crying for mercy a few days since, are now scoffing and mocking us, and ridiculing each others’ fears. Even some old professors are worse than the world. Have not such individuals sinned against the Holy Ghost? And when they say, Peace and safety, will not sudden destruction overtake them? While the wicked were thus expecting him, how could the Scriptures have been all fulfilled if he had come? They could not. But now they are ready for the snare, and out of their own mouths will God judge them; for they well knew they were unprepared, and the way they knew, or why were they so anxious for mercy? But when the danger was past, all of their preparation was over. SLWM 312.2

“‘I feel confident that we shall see very serious times. We shall need much patience. And this peculiar grace will last us through, “unto the coming of the LORD.” I am almost certain we shall not need patience longer than the farmer waits for the precious fruits of the earth, and hath long patience for it until he receive the early and latter rain. But I will try to be patient. James 5:7-11. To whom did the apostle address himself in his exhortation? To what age of the church? To that age where the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, and the Judge standeth at the door. Why did he caution them to be patient? Because he supposed they would be impatient to have the Lord come. Is there any sign among our nominal churches and sects, that they are impatient for Christ to come? No, evidently it is the reverse; they desire him not to come. Then if the Judge standeth at the door, are they not James’ brethren? No. Will you tell me who are James’ brethren in this age? They are those who are converted from Judaism and scattered. Chap. 1:1-4. They ask wisdom of God, in faith, not wavering. Verses 5, 6. The poor among them are exalted, and the rich are made low. Verses 9, 10. They endure temptation without wavering, and after their trial are blessed with a crown of life. Verse 12. They are begotten of God with his work of truth, and doers as well as hearers of the word. Verses 18-22. They have forsaken creeds, and look and continue in the law of liberty. Verse 25. They visit the afflicted and have no fellowship with the world. Verse 27. SLWM 313.1

“‘They must not countenance nor support war, for that cometh from lust. Chap. 4.1-3. They must not have respect to the rich, and despise the poor; for that is judging unrighteously. Chap. 2:1-10. They must show their faith by their works, and have no boasting where their works are not made manifest. Verses 14-26. They must not strive to be masters of rulers of their brethren, and have but few D.Ds. or A. Ms. among them. James 3:1-12. They must have no envying or striving against the truth, and be possessed of that wisdom which cometh down from above. Verses 13-18. They are to humble themselves and speak no evil of the brethren. Chap. 4:10-17. They are to cry unto the Lord in their afflictions and persecutions and make no resistance. Chap. 5:4-6. They will stablish their hearts in faith by patience, and grieve not the brethren. Verses 7-9. They will take the prophets for their example, and remember that the end of Job’s trials from the Lord was his patience. Verses 10, 11. They will not swear nor take any oath. Verse 12. If afflicted, they will pray, if merry, sing; if they are sick, call for the elders to pray, and if they sin, confess their faults; and if others sin, restore if possible. Verses 13-20. SLWM 314.1

“‘And now, my brother, if you can find such a band, they are the apostle’s brethren. Say to such, “Be patient; therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord, be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” Read this to all the holy brethren; for it is the best and only advice I can give them; and tell them I request their prayers, that I may follow the same advice; for their prayers are better to me than the world’s love, and much more to be desired than a good name from those who hate my King. I ask no favors of Caesar’s household, but that I may enjoy in peace my blessed hope. I have never courted the smiles of the proud, nor quailed when the world frowned. I shall not now purchase their favor; nor shall I go beyond duty to tempt their hate. I shall never seek my life at their hands; nor shrink, I hope, from losing it, if God in his good providence so orders. I thank God for your steadfastness in the truth, and pray him that you may endure unto the end. I remain as ever looking for, and expecting the King in his glory soon. WM. MILLER.’ SLWM 315.1

Again Mr. Miller writes for the Herald, Dec. 3, 1844:- SLWM 315.2

“‘DEAR BRN. HIMES AND BLISS. - I cannot sit down to write without the reflection that this letter may never reach its destination. Yet I believe in occupying until Christ shall come. Therefore, I still feel it to be my duty to occasionally drop you a line, to let you know how my soul prospers, and how my faith holds out. As it respects the soul, I have never enjoyed more calmness of mind, nor more resignation to the holy will of God and patience of spirit, than I have within a few weeks past. My soul, I think, is stayed on God and I enjoy peace like a river. For years past I have often had a spirit of impatience for Christ to come, and I have felt grieved in soul because I found in my heart so much of what I called a spirit of fretfulness and a mind full of impatience. But I bless God I have had but little of that recently. I have had great reason to thank God for his abundant goodness in this respect. My faith is stronger than ever; and this is somewhat remarkable, when I reflect on the disappointment I have met in my former expectations. But here, too, I see the good hand of God in my strength of faith. SLWM 315.3

“‘I have read with much interest and great satisfaction your “Address to the Adventists.” And I am perfectly satisfied it is the right ground for you to take. I believe in the ground we have formerly stood upon, as it regards the chronology of prophecy, is the only ground we can take; and if the defect is in human chronology, then no human knowledge is sufficient in this age to rectify it, with any degree of certainty; and I see no good that can be accomplished by taking a stand for any future period, with less evidence than we had for 1843-4. For those who would not believe, with the evidence we then produced, we cannot expect will not believe with much less testimony. SLWM 316.1

“‘Again it is to me almost a demonstration that God’s hand is seen in this thing. Many thousands, to all human appearance, have been made to study the Scriptures by the preaching of the time; and by that means, through faith and the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, have been reconciled to God. And those of us who have been familiar with the fruits and effects of the preaching of this doctrine, must acknowledge that he has been with us in so doing, and his wisdom has in a great measure marked out our path, which he has devised for such good as he will accomplish in his own time and manner; as in the case of Nineveh by the preaching of Jonah. If this should be the real state of the case, and we should go on to set other times in the future, we might possibly be found frustrating, or trying to, at least, the purposes of God, and receive no blessing. I think my brethren will all admit that God has been in the work, and he has tried our faith in the best possible manner. The vision has been made plain on tables. We have had a tarrying time. And now we are having our time of patience unto the coming of the Lord. Then I say, Let patience have its perfect work. I have great hope, and a good confidence. I think I may safely say that the Lord will make his appearance yet before this Jewish year shall terminate. And if so, and we should be looking for years to come, we should not do well. Therefore, the only safe measure for me to pursue, under the best light I can now get, is to keep what light I have burning, and look and expect him every day until he comes. This is my present position, and the greatest danger which those are in who take this position, will be the loss of patience and a neglect of watching and prayer. To remedy this, I would advise that we keep ourselves as much as possible from worldly associations, vain and trifling conversation, wrangling or disputing on any subject; and when we do hold conversation, let it be with those whose conversation is in Heaven, from whence we look for the Saviour. And when we pray, remember God hears every word, and knows every motive which dictates our prayers; and be sure that we be honest before God. SLWM 316.2

“‘If the experience which we have passed through, from the beginning of the present year - the tarrying time from April until October and the sanctifying influence of the seventh month, with the humiliation and patience of those who are evidently looking for the redemption of the true Israel, - is not the beginning and preparation of the final cleansing of the sanctuary, then I will acknowledge I am deceived. The great fault with us who have been expounding the time of the fulfillment of prophecy, is, we have crowded all these things into a very unwarrantable short space of time, we have given no time for preparation, we were too impatient. Therefore, we are exhorted to be patient, and James says, “The Judge standeth at the door.” I am fully convinced the work has already begun. Let us then have patience, brethren, from this time until he comes; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. SLWM 318.1

“‘We have erred in many things, and even the second advent brethren were not prepared for the coming of Christ; they had, many of them, left the work of the Lord, and had been doing their own work. The work of the Lord, which he had commanded us to do, was to make the vision plain, to write it on tables, to give the alarm, the midnight cry, and wake up the virgins; and while these things, and these things only were attended to, our work prospered, and God was with us. And now, my dear brethren, permit me to be plain: I hope all who are worth saving are humble enough to bear by reproof, and I mean to give it with the sincerest of motives, and with the kindest affection of my heart. SLWM 318.2

“‘The causes which required God’s chastising hand upon us, were, in my humble opinion PRIDE, FANATICISM, and SECTARIANISM. Pride worked in many ways. We ascribed our conquest in argument over our opponents to ourselves. We were seeking the honors or applause of men more than of God. We were some of us seeking to be leaders, instead of being servants - boasting too much of our doings. And Fanaticism: I know our enemies accused of this before we were guilty; but this did not excuse us for running into it. A thousand expressions were used, without thought or reflection, and I thought sometimes very irreverently, such as, “Bless God,” etc. I was afraid it was done in very many cases to the appearance of outward piety, rather than as the hidden manna of the heart. Sometimes our meetings were distinguished by noise and confusion, and, forgive me, brethren, if I express myself too strongly, it appeared to me more like Babel than a solemn assembly of penitents bowing in humble reverence before a holy God. I have often obtained more evidence of inward piety from a kindling eye, a wet cheek, and a choked utterance, than from all the noise in Christendom. Sectarianism: this is always produced by some private opinion of man, rather than by the plain declaration of God’s word. For years after I began to proclaim this blessed truth of Christ at the door, I never, if possible to avoid it, even alluded to sectarian principles,; and the first objection my Baptist brethren brought against me, was, I mixed with, and preached unto all denominations, even to Unitarians, &. But we have recently, my brethren, been guilty of raising up a sect of our own; for, the very things which our fathers did, when they became sects, we have been doing. We have, like them, cried Babylon! Babylon!! Babylon!!! against all but Adventists. We have, proclaimed and discussed, “pro et con,” many sectarian dogmas which have nothing to do with our message. May God forgive us. And now, brethren, we have need of patience, that after we have done the will of God, we may receive the promise. Yours as ever, SLWM 319.1

“‘WM. MILLER.’

On the 28th and 29th of December, 1844, a Conference was held at Low Hampton, where the following address, prepared by Bro. Miller at the request of the brethren, was presented by a committee, and unanimously adopted by the Conference:- SLWM 320.1